Safeguarding

St Helen’s Church takes seriously our Safeguarding responsibilities and the PCC unanimously adopted the House of Bishop’s ‘Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement’.

‘The Church of England is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.’

Our commitments

• Promoting a safer environment and culture
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk.

In the event of a safeguarding concert, please contact:

• St Helen’s Safeguarding Officer: Joanna Capes (07902 256991)
• Our incumbent: Revd. Margaret Gallagher
• In addition: any safeguarding concern may be raised directly with the Diocese of York, the current contact details are found here: Diocese of York Safeguarding

Helplines

• Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• Action On Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111
• Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900
• NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
• Samaritans: 116 123